Bids awarded in E. Jerusalem construction project

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Final bids were awarded for a construction project in eastern Jerusalem.

The Israel Lands Association published tenders Wednesday for the construction of 486 apartments in the Pisgat Ze’ev neighborhood.

The original bidding had opened last October but was canceled when the offers came in too low, according to reports.

Construction of the new apartments could begin in about six months.

Over the summer, Israel Channel 10 reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to freeze construction in the neighborhood, which is located on the outer edge of the northeastern municipal boundary of Jerusalem, over the Green Line. The Prime Minister’s Office denied the report.